jmoe12 Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 On 2/12/2016 at 8:53 AM, MrRockyTop16 said: I'm calling a final matchup of London Crusaders vs Dusseldorf United. That seems to be a safe bet. Crusaders have not looked as dominant as they did during the regular season, but they are still strong enough to beat out Salvador. Dusseldorf will have their hands full with Madrid, but I don't think their is a team in the world that's in better form than they are. This quad is definitely the toughest of the four, which will mean plenty of exciting action! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 The second quad! Not nearly as strong as the first Portland Pioneers vs. Bordeaux Boars While the two matches above this one all featured teams with legitimate title aspirations, Portland and Bordeaux will both be quite pleased just to make the Quarterfinals. Both teams have over achieved thus far just to make it here, and are dark horses to maybe crack the Final 4. There are lots of intriguing matchups on the pitch, with Garrett McLocklen and Xavier Toussaint battling it out in the post. Amsterdam United vs. TC Azteca There are lots of way this one could go lots of ways. Both teams have plenty of advantages that they could exploit, but it will be up to who can play their strengths and cover their weaknesses the best. Amsterdam seems to be the favorite coming in, and if they can take down Azteca, they will have an easy quarterfinal matchup. If Azteca can grab victory, they’ll have a great opportunity to make the semis for the first time since 2002. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRockyTop16 Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 I'm calling TC Azteca vs Bordeaux. All credit goes to their respective creators (Veras and hawkfan89) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 11 hours ago, MrRockyTop16 said: I'm calling TC Azteca vs Bordeaux. Those are some gutsy picks. Both teams come in as underdogs, but not by much. This Quad is pretty up in the air, but Amsterdam should be able to take it if they play well. Now, Quad 3 TC Dublin vs. Sydney Kookaburras The defending champs got a favorable draw to begin their quest for title defense. But Sydney has surprised before, and they’ll try to pull another rabbit out of their hat against Dublin. The Leprechauns go in as strong favorites, but the Kookaburras present a style unlike any the Dubliners have seen, and they’ll have adapt quickly if they are going to advance through to the Quarterfinals. Toronto Lamplighters vs. Volgograd Sturgeon The most even matchup of the first round, experts are split on who will advance. Toronto has been in far better form, winning all three of their group stage games, while Volgograd could only grab a victory once. But the Sturgeon are peaking at the right time, and have a potent wing duo that could exploit the Lamplighters’ poor perimeter defense. This game will definitely come down to the wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ujju2 Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Think I'm going with Toronto now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 3 hours ago, ujju2 said: Think I'm going with Toronto now. Good choice. Leagues are always competing to more bids into qualifying. Any success that any of Toronto has will be a good thing for all of Canada. And with the Club Cup likely expanding to 40 teams in 2020, any advantage that Canada can earn could be very useful in getting more teams into Qualifying. Now, The final Quad, and it's probably the weakest Brasilia Macaws vs. St. Petersburg Czars By far the weakest matchup of the first round, it’s a surprise that either of these teams are even in the Knockout Round, and even more of a shock that one of them is guaranteed a spot in the Quarterfinals. But don’t look past either of these sides, they both flexed their muscles in the group stage and could make it to the semis by virtue of being in the weakest of the four Quads, with Empire and Helsinki meeting the winner of this game. Empire New York vs. Helsinki Voyageurs Positioned conveniently in the weakest of the four quads, both have these teams have been gifted a great chance at the Semifinals. It should be an even and exciting match, with both teams possessing plenty of young talent. Mario Esposito and Andris Tevarde should have a battle for the ages on the wings, and supporting players like Mikhail Robinson and Zayne Harper will have to perform to earn any sort of advantage for their side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRockyTop16 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I was going Dublin vs Toronto, but to make it interesting and go against ujju2 (friendly competition), I'll go with Dublin vs Volograd. For the other Quad, I'll go with Brasilia vs Empire New York. All credit goes to their respective creators (Veras and hawkfan89) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 2 minutes ago, MrRockyTop16 said: I was going Dublin vs Toronto, but to make it interesting and go against ujju2 (friendly competition), I'll go with Dublin vs Volograd. For the other Quad, I'll go with Brasilia vs Empire New York. More good predictions, Quad 3 is a tough one to pick. An interesting note, no team has ever made back to back semifinals at the Club Cup, meaning a Toronto-Dublin quarterfinal would guarantee we'd get our first. That stat doesn't bode well for Amsterdam and Salvador, but we'll have to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ujju2 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 8 minutes ago, MrRockyTop16 said: I was going Dublin vs Toronto, but to make it interesting and go against ujju2 (friendly competition), I'll go with Dublin vs Volograd. For the other Quad, I'll go with Brasilia vs Empire New York. I'm going with Toronto vs Sydney and New York vs St. Petersburg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darknes Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Dusseldorf v London Portland V Azteca Dublin v Volograd Brasila v Helsinki are my predictions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 @MrRockyTop16 and @Darknes are perfect so far. GAME SUMMARY Spoiler Top Performers Kaleb Schreiber (DUS): 2 goals, Assist Siddhare Eispaer (MTC): Goal, Assist Derek Gerhard (DUS): Goal Dusseldorf flexes muscles in Dominant Win Dusseldorf showed just how dangerous they can be. 4 times now they’ve played a top 20 team in the world while here in Japan, and all four times they’ve taken all the points. Dusseldorf owned the game by controlling the tempo, using their methodical possession to frustrate they fast-paced Madrid team. Dusseldorf also dominated inside. Kaleb Schreiber struck twice off a rebound, outmuscling Arsenio Cadeira to earn an open look at goal, which the German superstar converted easily. With their backs against the wall down a pair, Madrid started playing more open throwball in the second period, hoping to spread out the slower German side with their rapid passing attack tearing the Dusseldorf defense to shreds. Siddhare Eispaker made a fool of Derek Gerhard with more cheeky play, blowing past him with a clever move, and cutting the lead in half. With momentum on their side, Madrid took the upper hand, getting the tying goal in the 35th minute, when Stefan Corona rifled a shot into the top corner past Thomas Grosser. While Madrid owned the second period, it was all Dusseldorf in the third. Kaleb Schreiber registered an assist, finding Derek Gerhard on the cut to regain the lead. Dusseldorf scored yet again moments later to take the lead to 2. Already coming back from 2 down once, Madrid was confident they could do it again. But with Dusseldorf sitting back in defense, hoping to hold onto their lead for the final 12 minutes, Madrid struggled to earn quality chances. The Germans held them off until the 57th minute, when Arsenio Cadeira found the net off a pass from Eispaker to pull within a score. But it was clear the game was over, as Dusseldorf held off one more desperate wave of attacks to preserve a trip to the next round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Salvador vs. Dusseldorf in the Quarterfinals GAME SUMMARY Spoiler Top Performers Tito Laerte (SAL): 2 goals, Assist Mateus (SAL): 2 goals Blaine Cook (LON): 2 goals Saints’ Trio too much for Crusader Another disappointing London performance sees another Cup go by without the trophy being brought to England. On the other side, Salvador seems very ready to win the Cup for Brazil’s first title. The Saints jumped right out on the Crusaders, getting their first goal in the fourth minute from Abilio. Down early, the Crusaders began to play more aggressive and hard-hitting to try to knock the smaller Brazilian players off of their game. But London lacked any finishing power, and they couldn’t get their set offense running smoothly enough to earn any quality chances. London did get a goal off some brutal transition defense from Salvador in the 11th minute, but the Saints were still in strong control of the match. Mateus blew past Blaine Cook in the 17th minute to restore the advantage, and they took the lead into the dressing room. Crusaders played far better in the second period, getting some surprising contributions from Blaine Cook, who scored in the 26th minute to tie at 2-2, then, after Tito Laerte found the net moments later, Cook struck again in the 34th to level the scoring at 3. With their center playing fantastic throwball, London had revived energy, and seemed to be knocking on the door to put in a go-ahead goal, but Mateus made sure that wouldn’t happen with another spectacular goal to keep Salvador in front. Jeffrey Cohen and Mayer Elliot in the third, but the pair could only equalize 4-4 and 5-5, as Salvador was always one step ahead, maintaining the lead for all but 4 minutes of the final frame. With the victory, Salvador sets up a highly anticipated clash with Dusseldorf, a match of two unbeaten teams that will not disappoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ujju2 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Can't decide between Salvador and Dusseldorf... I think I'm taking Salvador to win, but it's really close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 8 minutes ago, ujju2 said: Can't decide between Salvador and Dusseldorf... I think I'm taking Salvador to win, but it's really close. It's going to be a great game for sure. Salvador has the speed and skill advantage, but Dusseldorf has better size and strength. The clash of styles makes this near impossible to call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRockyTop16 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I think Dusseldorf's size and grinding nature will knock off Salvador. All credit goes to their respective creators (Veras and hawkfan89) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Quad 2 is up today. GAME SUMMARY Spoiler Top Performers Manuel Simon (BOR): 2 goals, Assist, GWG Ezekiel Solomon (POR): Goal, Assist Tristan Tallier (BOR): Goal Boars Edge Pioneers in Extra Time It was a great win for Bordeaux, getting a big win over some quality opposition. For Portland, the loss will help them to recognize and fix the gaping holes in their squad. Right from the start, the Boars asserted control of the perimeter, feeding Deniel Sarkozy down low and giving him free reign to bully Jaeron Meeks by the boards. His play payed off, as he set up the opening score with a fireball of a cross to Tristan Tallier who finished a brilliant goal. Jaeron Meeks had a definite advantage over Sarkozy in the skill department, and was opportune on the outside and sniped a shot over the shoulder of Rianier Beaumont to level the score. Manuel Simon was in some fine form throughout the match, powering past his opposite number Ezekiel Solomon to put Bordeaux up 2-1. The Boars’ press limited the number of clean looks the Pioneers could earn, and it was obvious the Portland players were getting frustrated. The Pioneers opened the second period with more energy than in the first, and it payed off when Ezekiel Solomon found the net to finish off some stellar team play. After Solomon scored in the 25th minute, the match went 12 minutes without a goal, or a quality chance for that matter. Bordeaux finally ended the monotony with a goal to lift them back into the lead. Portland had done all they could to wear down the Boars’ press in the opening 40 minutes, and the fatigue finally began to set in in the third period. Joakim Todd and Garrett McLocklen both put in goals to lift the Pioneers into the lead, and they seemed set to hold their advantage. But Xavier Toussaint continued to show just how dangerous he could be with clever goal in the 53rd to level the scoring and put the momentum in the Boars’ favor. Bordeaux held this momentum into the extra period, and it took Manuel Simon only 2 minutes to put in the winner and put the Boars into the next round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Amsterdam vs. Bordeaux in Quarterfinal 2 GAME SUMMARY Spoiler Top Performers Adrianus van Drummond (AU): 2 goals Jose Alfaro (TCA): 2 goals Christiaan Meijer (AU): Goal, Assist Amsterdam struggles early, finishes Strong It didn’t look good for United through the first 20 minutes. Amsterdam earned plenty of quality opportunities, but they failed to convert any of them, and left a lackluster Azteca side stay within striking distance. The Mexican champs were far better finishers in the first period, with Jose Alfaro converting one of the few chances they had during the first frame. Amsterdam came roaring back in the second period, with Adrianus van Drummond netting a stunner to equalize, and then Martino Inzaghi netted another just 53 seconds later to put them in front. But they couldn’t find the net in the remaining 13 minutes, once again letting Azteca hang around too long, and once again it was Jose Alfaro, the surprise hero thus far, netting another goal, making Martino Inzaghi look like a scrub in the process. The offenses showed the full height of their powers in the third period, with both sides scoring 3 goals in the final 20 minutes. Amsterdam held a lead 3 times in the third, with Christiaan Meijer and Bram Rijnders both netting go ahead goals, but Azteca was right there with answers from Miguel Guttierez, Odalis Soto, and Andre Mayez. But Amsterdam just had too much talent, and it showed in the final period, where Adrianus van Drummond came through once again in the 66th minute to send them through. A relatively easy fixture vs. Bordeaux is next, and that is all that separates United from being the first side to ever make back-to-back semifinals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRockyTop16 Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Well, *gulps* I have half right so far... All credit goes to their respective creators (Veras and hawkfan89) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoe12 Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 The defending champs were in fine form against Sydney GAME SUMMARY Spoiler Top Performers Enrique (TCD): 3 goals Dwayne Rodgers (TCD): 2 goals, Assist Chase Osborne (SYK): 2 goals Dublin Thrashes Kookaburras The defending champs simply had too much class. It was clear from the start that Sydney would need a miracle to upset the Irish giants, and their chances grew even slimmer when Dwayne Rodgers struck in the third minute. Sydney did all they could to try to throw the Leprechauns off their game, pressing high and hitting hard, but Dublin’s composure and skill was able to weather the storm, and the only slip up came off a Kyler Patterson turnover which led to an easy finish for Chase Osborne. Sydney’s confidence was boosted quite a bit by the equalizer, and it seemed they were ready to steal the game should Dublin slip. But Dubin certainly didn’t slip, scoring twice in the second period. Enrique raced past the insanely aggressive Kookaburra press to net an easy finish past Ethan Reid, then Adrian Brachard doubled the advantage with a goal off a rebound. Dublin had an answer for every threat the Kookaburras posed, and the match was all but over. The final nail in the coffin was Enrique’s hat-trick goal in the 42nd minute to make the lead 3, an advantage that Dublin was never going to forfeit. Chase Osborne and Dwayne Rodgers both found the back of the net in garbage time. Dublin left no doubt that they deserved to advance, and showed they are more than capable of defending their title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ujju2 Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Ugh, there goes another prediction... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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